ISO 26000

Social Responsibility Guidance

Social responsibility applied with judgement, without certificates that do not exist.

ISO 26000:2010 is guidance and is not a certifiable standard. No accredited certification exists against ISO 26000. Secure Trust implements it as a good-practice and reporting framework, not as a certification process.

What it is

What the standard covers

ISO 26000 provides guidance on social responsibility across seven core subjects: governance, human rights, labour practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues and community involvement. It contains no auditable certification requirements; it structures a sustainability approach and supports corporate reporting.

Who it is for

Organisations running sustainability programmes
Companies reporting to groups or investors
Foundations, NGOs and trade associations
Companies inside value chains with ESG requirements

Problems it helps manage

Social initiatives scattered and unmeasured
Sustainability reports without structure or evidence
Stakeholder expectations not identified
Reputational risk managed reactively

Business benefits

An ordered social responsibility framework by core subject
Stakeholders identified and prioritised
A structured base for corporate reporting
Alignment between message and verifiable practice

Sectors

Where it applies

Multi-sector corporatesFoundations and NGOsExtractives and energyFinancial servicesManufacturingPublic sector

Support

What the engagement includes

Documented initial gap analysis
Management system design
Complete, tailored documentation
Implementation support, on site or remote
Training for the key team
Internal audit and closure of findings
Readiness and support through the certification audit

Integration with other standards

This standard commonly integrates with: ISO 14001, ISO 37001, ISO 45001. An integrated system reduces duplicated documentation and audit time.

Stages

How the project runs

Gap analysis and planning

We review the real operation, not a questionnaire. We identify gaps against the standard, critical processes, existing evidence and regulatory risk.

Selecting the standard or combination

We define which standard answers the organisation's risk and objective. The choice is technical, not a matter of popularity.

Management system design

We structure processes, responsibilities, indicators and controls according to size, sector and applicable regulation.

Documentation development

We write policy, procedures, records and matrices tailored to the operation. No generic templates.

Guided implementation

We work with each process owner until the system is used day to day, not only stored in a folder.

Team training

We train the key team on the standard, on the system and on their role during the audit.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions — ISO 26000

Can ISO 26000 be certified?

No. It is guidance, not a requirements standard. Any offer of accredited ISO 26000 certification should be treated with caution.

So what is the outcome?

An implemented framework, internal evidence and, if desired, independent verification of the approach adopted, which is not equivalent to accredited certification.

Which standards complement it?

Typically ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 37001, which are certifiable and address concrete impacts.

You may also need

Related standards

ISO 14001:2026

Next step

Every organisation is different. The right system starts with a gap analysis.

Write to us and we will arrange a strategy meeting: we review your current situation, define the right system, set scope and timelines and resolve technical and regulatory questions.

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A certification done properly is not chased. It is built.